Who has had a knee replacement? I have questions.

Les White

Les White

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Several years ago a orthopedic surgeon told me he'd replace my knees when I was ready. I haven't had a meniscus in either knee for about 10 years due to osteroaurthitis. A previous orthopedic surgeon went into my right knee to "clean up the meniscus" and get me a few more miles. Said when he got in there it looked like someone had shaken up a snow globe and there wasn't enough material left to do anything with.

My knees always hurt, and feel so frail. Took the girls to the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival on Saturday, it's a lot of walking. Walking hurts. Downhill hurts worse. Uphill hurts worse than the other two. Two days later I'm limping around walking as gingerly as I can.

My questions are:

At what point did you decide enough was enough and to have the surgery?

After you were healed, did it feel like brand new knees?

Did the frail feeling go away?

Does the pain associated with leg day go away? The hurt when exercising really limits what I'm willing to do.

Are there any drawbacks? Any loss of movement?

And the big one, in hindsight was worth it? Would you do it again?
 
Also curious to see the responses here. Both my knees are replacement candidates from severe OA, with my left being the more problematic of the two. I'm in my late 30s, but my ortho wanted me to try and tough it out another 10 years in hopes that I wouldn't need a second replacement at some point.
 
Can’t speak to knees but hip replacement totally changed my life. Absolutely no downside and good as new.
 
My brother had his knee replaced. Doc said it was the worst he'd seen. Bone on bone. About a week after the surgery, with it still swollen and weeping around the incision, he said it hurt to walk on but even that soon after the operation it hurt less than it did before.

He said pt sucked, but he's back at it full throttle and said his knee is great. He said he wished he had it done sooner.
 
My dad has always said he only had two regrets about his knee replacements; not doing the replacement sooner and not doing both at the same time.

Everything else on the man is falling apart, but his knees are good to go.
 
I didn’t have knee replacement but the recovery has sucked from my knee cleanup surgery.

Swollen lower leg, ankle, foot. Starting PT today actually so hopefully some muscle building can help improve circulation
 
Mother had both replaced at the same time in her mid 60’s. Father in law did the same in his 70’s. He is 83 and still plays golf, goes to the gym, out and about all the time.

Both were happy to only have the single recovery. And REHAB/PT is key!!!!!!!!

I’m pretty sure mine will be getting done within the next 5-10 years. It’s only going to get worse especially in the upcoming cooler temps.
 
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concepthomes2 said:
I didn’t have knee replacement but the recovery has sucked from my knee cleanup surgery.

Swollen lower leg, ankle, foot. Starting PT today actually so hopefully some muscle building can help improve circulation
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I had a similar experience. When the doc couldn't find enough meniscus to clean up he performed a micro fracture instead (which sent my insurance company into a tailspin). Basically drilled a series of TINY holes into the end of the femur and allowed it to bleed forming a "super clot" to act as a temporary cushion.

Recovery was long and painful. The benefit was minimal and not at all worth it. The only PT I got was some hot therapist trying to sell me some expensive tape to tape my leg in what can only be described as a "retarded pattern" that was supposed to increase blood flow to the joint. I'll look on my phone, if I can find a pic I'll edit the post.


Not my knee, but this is what she did.

1696877472656.png
 
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I have had 4 knee replacements. Mind you I am a big man (6’2”, near, now over 300#). Because of my activity level it took me about 15 years to wear out the first set. the second set is placed deeper in the bone and more stability is gained. The replacements (revision) is also more painful recovery. Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat. After initial healing of about 3 weeks and you get your staples out you would start PT. The harder you work at PT the less pain because it will be a shorter process. The worst part is stretching your ligaments out again!

If you would like to get out of pain get it done. I was way too energetic and worked my big ass too much for the mechanical parts. You get a new knee cap with a full replace along with a new meniscus. You really can’t kneel on the new knee but flexing and walking is pain free after PT.

You‘LL love it.😃
 
Ben Jefferson said:
You really can’t kneel on the new knee
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Thanks for the info! That's super helpful. Can you expand on the kneeling part? Why? I can't really kneel on my knees as it is. Fireworks setup requires a lot of kneeling and knee walking, I can do it with some good knee pads.

And what finally pushed you over the edge to get it done?
 
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Les White said:
Thanks for the info! That's super helpful. Can you expand on the kneeling part? Why? I can't really kneel on my knees as it is. Fireworks setup requires a lot of kneeling and knee walking, I can do it with some good knee pads.

And what finally pushed you over the edge to get it done?
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Hiya @Les White , I finally decided to get it done because I was getting useless. The pain stopped me from going anywhere and just getting up from the toilet or a chair hurt so bad I sounded like a little girl crying. Some people kneel better than others too. I did allot of Car restoration so bare concrete was a no starter. I bet with good knee pads you’d be ok as long as you lean back on your butt a little more. You won’t regret it if you have been living with it this long.

The 1st time you go fully around on the bicycle during pt think of me!

Keep me posted sir.
 
I had my right knee replaced eleven years ago due to life almost coming to a standstill because of the agonizing pain day and night. I had walked bone-on-bone for over 10 years prior and would never wait that long again.

I came out of surgery in Pinehurst determined to put all efforts into PT and rehab around the clock..............I really did exactly that and I was back at work in 21 days. Tenderness for a few months and discomfort at night but all of that eventually went away. It was just part of the process but I would do it all over again.

My whole quality of life changed for the better and I would recommend it to anyone who really knows how bad knee pain can be. It was an all consuming condition and I'm very thankful that part of life is behind me. Uncomfortable to kneel down on that replacement knee but it was still a fantastic trade-off.

No regrets here.
 
The key to knee replacements is the PT as others have said, if you aren't interested in it keeping up with it, you won't get the full outcome and will disappointed. Ask about the use of antibacterial beads that can be packed around the site to prevent infection.
 
@Brangus @Ben Jefferson

My dumb ass was thinking about kneeling as it pertains to inconsequential things, like work. What about sexy time activities? Is giving the little lady a doggy style pickle tickle after knee replacement off the table?

Sorry if it seems inappropriate, but these are important questions and "the internet" really doesn't seem to address them.
 
Les White said:
@Brangus @Ben Jefferson

My dumb ass was thinking about kneeling as it pertains to inconsequential things, like work. What about sexy time activities? Is giving the little lady a doggy style pickle tickle after knee replacement off the table?

Sorry if it seems inappropriate, but these are important questions and "the internet" really doesn't seem to address them.
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I understand completely and agree with your train of thought 100%.

You will be able to do anything you did before 😎. Admittedly there may be an extra pillow or 2 in your future. Who knows the extra weight from the metal in your lower end might add a little flair to your style Johnny Wad!
 
my wife and father-in-law had both of their knees replaced at the same time.

advice:
1. do both together if both are needed. do not do them one at a time.
2. PT is no fun, but it is not supposed to be. do it and do it ALL.
3. Google shows alternative bedtime positions. might find a good one.
 
When I was working, we supplied the CPM machines (Continous Passive Motion) for knee replacement patients. The therapy right after a knee replacement makes a huge difference in how you do in the long run. If you don't gain enough range of motion, the DR will have to go in and re-do the surgery. Whether your Dr wants you to use the machine or do manual therapy, make sure that you do it correctly.

The biggest complaint that I heard from knee replacement patients was that they wished that had done it sooner. Good luck, you'll be fine.
 
Geezer said:
When I was working, we supplied the CPM machines (Continous Passive Motion) for knee replacement patients. The therapy right after a knee replacement makes a huge difference in how you do in the long run. If you don't gain enough range of motion, the DR will have to go in and re-do the surgery. Whether your Dr wants you to use the machine or do manual therapy, make sure that you do it correctly.

The biggest complaint that I heard from knee replacement patients was that they wished that had done it sooner. Good luck, you'll be fine.
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I used the CPM back then after your advice and I do credit that with my fast recovery. I woke up in one after surgery and had another one delivered to my home that day.............used it around the clock and believe in what was accomplished.
 
I've had both knees replaced. Pain was the deciding factor for me and it sounds like it's about time for you to get surgery. The good news, I was walking with a cane in a few days after each replacement. I had them replaced a couple of years apart and my physical therapists were very different. The first one was very physical and went so far as to rip the staples in my knee from forcing movement while doing therapy. The second therapist took more of a mental, Zen like approach and I was up and walking in half the time. My surgeries were over a decade ago so hopefully the first therapist experience I had is a thing of the past. It took about a year each time for me to regain 100% confidence in my new knee and to forget about it when taking a big step or hop leading with the replaced knee. You should get the same movement post surgey as you had before surgery. Maybe more if you've recently lost motion due to your knee damage you can regain some or all of it with therapy. After that first year, I tended to forget about the replacement and the best news is once the knee heals from surgery, there's no more pain. Standing or walking for long times isn't an issue. I even lost about 40 pounds after my first surgery because my activity level increased. I don't mean exercise either, just from being able to live a life without being in pain with each step. I had my knees replaced in my mid-late 30s (very unusual, extreme case) and my first one is starting to wear out. I feel some discomfort in it occasionally but I think that's also rare. My point is that not only would I do it again if I could go back in time, but I'm considering putting my surgeon to the test and asking to get a replacement replaced. Yes it's worth it. Yes it improves your quality of life. Yes you should do it. Just follow up with proper therapy to get the most out of your surgery.
 
I have had both knees replaced about five years apart. I would do it again in a heartbeat. To be free from the bone on bone pain is magical. Therapy is a long ordeal and not pleasant, but as others have stated must be done to regain range of motion. On both surgeries, I was in the hospital for three days and on the last day they had me going up a short flight of stairs. I returned to work (office job) in two weeks while doing PT three times a week for about six weeks.
 
Ghost4 said:
I've had both knees replaced. Pain was the deciding factor for me and it sounds like it's about time for you to get surgery. The good news, I was walking with a cane in a few days after each replacement. I had them replaced a couple of years apart and my physical therapists were very different. The first one was very physical and went so far as to rip the staples in my knee from forcing movement while doing therapy. The second therapist took more of a mental, Zen like approach and I was up and walking in half the time. My surgeries were over a decade ago so hopefully the first therapist experience I had is a thing of the past. It took about a year each time for me to regain 100% confidence in my new knee and to forget about it when taking a big step or hop leading with the replaced knee. You should get the same movement post surgey as you had before surgery. Maybe more if you've recently lost motion due to your knee damage you can regain some or all of it with therapy. After that first year, I tended to forget about the replacement and the best news is once the knee heals from surgery, there's no more pain. Standing or walking for long times isn't an issue. I even lost about 40 pounds after my first surgery because my activity level increased. I don't mean exercise either, just from being able to live a life without being in pain with each step. I had my knees replaced in my mid-late 30s (very unusual, extreme case) and my first one is starting to wear out. I feel some discomfort in it occasionally but I think that's also rare. My point is that not only would I do it again if I could go back in time, but I'm considering putting my surgeon to the test and asking to get a replacement replaced. Yes it's worth it. Yes it improves your quality of life. Yes you should do it. Just follow up with proper therapy to get the most out of your surgery.
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How many years have you been on that first knee before wearing it out? My doc cautioned me that younger folks tend to wear them out much more quickly than seniors just due to general activity levels.
 
I personally went almost 8 years before the first replacement was worn and needed revision.

Mind you, I am NOT a small person at 6’1” and close to #300. At that time I was remodeling a house and caring for 10 acres when I lived in KY. I was busy, the replaced knee allowed me to be so without pain.

Just stop hurting and get it done!
 
Only things I have to offer:

1. The people I know who’ve done it say it hurts like hell for a while.

2. Don’t be like the person I heard about this past weekend who tripped and fell down a small flight of stairs while rehabbing from a knee replacement. Bent the knee 90 degrees in the wrong direction. The metal implants ripped ligaments and cut an artery. She somehow made it to the hospital and is in ICU.
 
9outof10mms said:
Don’t be like the person I heard about this past weekend who tripped and fell down a small flight of stairs while rehabbing from a knee replacement. Bent the knee 90 degrees in the wrong direction. The metal implants ripped ligaments and cut an artery. She somehow made it to the hospital and is in ICU.
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I'm pretty sure you shouldn't do that, even on OEM knees.
 
Supermatch said:
How many years have you been on that first knee before wearing it out? My doc cautioned me that younger folks tend to wear them out much more quickly than seniors just due to general activity levels.
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I think I'm at year 12 since my first replacement. FWIW, I'm not at the point of having another replacement yet but I'm getting close. Maybe another year or so depending on how things go and my pain level. Right now I only feel pain occasionally but I know it's only going to slowly get worse. About 15 years with light duty (no running or jumping) maybe less if you're a big guy or can't avoid high impact activities. I'd still do it again, just like before even knowing it is temporary. 10+ years without that pain was definitely worth the hassle.
 
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